City Comparison
Olathe vs Salina
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Olathe scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Olathe
Salina
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Salina is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
22% lower than in Olathe.
Housing costs are a major driver: Olathe's average rent is
58% higher than Salina's.
| Metric | Olathe | Salina | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,450 | $920 | +58% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,400 | $1,870 | +28% |
| Cost Index | 98 | 82 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Olathe offers 13% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Salina delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Olathe is estimated at
$58,000 vs $36,792 in Salina.
| Metric | Olathe | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $65,745 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $36,792 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,510 idx | 80,177 idx |
| Household Income | $95,500 | $61,783 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0.7°F of each other.
For sunshine, Salina comes out ahead with 25 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Olathe sees 1.5 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Olathe | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.60°F | 57.30°F |
| Summer High | 85.50°F | 88.10°F |
| Winter Low | 21.90°F | 20.50°F |
| Rainfall | 42.30 in | 26.10 in |
| Snowfall | 17.70 in | 16.20 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 280 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Salina has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Olathe.
For walkability, Salina leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Olathe | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 23 min | 15 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 35.0/100 |
| Walkability | 38.0/100 | 39.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Olathe is the larger city
— approximately 3.1x the population of Salina.
From a growth perspective, Olathe is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Olathe has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Olathe | Salina |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 142,385 | 46,307 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.10% | — |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 39.3 |
| Unemployment | 3.10% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Olathe
Advantages
Olathe consistently ranks among the safest cities in Kansas with violent and property crime rates well below the national average per FBI crime data.
The Olathe Public Schools (USD 233) district is highly rated statewide, offering exceptional educational outcomes and modern facilities.
The city features over 30 public parks, extensive trail systems, and community lakes providing abundant outdoor recreation opportunities.
Strategic location along Interstate 35 provides seamless commuting and logistics access across the entire Kansas City metropolitan area.
A thriving local economy with strong job growth in technology, logistics, and healthcare sectors.
Drawbacks
High reliance on automobiles makes public transit options limited for those who prefer not to drive.
Property taxes in Kansas can be relatively high compared to some competing states, impacting overall homeownership costs.
Housing inventory for first-time buyers can experience tight competition due to high regional demand.
Warm and humid summer conditions can occasionally limit comfortable outdoor daytime activities during peak heat waves.
Suburban sprawl in newer western developments can result in longer local errand commutes.
Salina
Advantages
Affordable cost of living, with housing costs significantly below the national average.
Diverse and robust economy with key industries in manufacturing, healthcare, and agriculture.
Shorter than average commute times, with an average of 14.8 minutes.
Strong sense of community and family-friendly atmosphere.
Regional healthcare and educational hub for North Central Kansas.
Drawbacks
Car-dependent with limited public transportation and low walkability scores.
Crime rates, particularly violent crime, are higher than the national average.
Limited entertainment and dining options compared to larger cities.
Population has shown a declining trend in recent years.
Property crime rate remains above the Kansas average.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Olathe
#40Kansas, USA
71.1 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,450
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
98
Commute
23 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
38.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
56.60°F
Pop. Growth
1.10%
Unemployment
3.10%
Livability
83
Business
76
Salina
#129Kansas, USA
66.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$920
Avg Salary
$65,745
Cost Index
82
Commute
15 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
39.0/100
Sunny Days
280/yr
Avg Temp
57.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
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